Seton LaSalle zips past Charleroi for 1st-round win
McMURRAY – Prior to Tuesday’s game, Charleroi boys basketball coach Joe Dunn said Seton LaSalle would provide a tough test.
The Cougars have adopted the Paul Westhead run-and-gun system for this season and it took them to new heights, but the Rebels proved they could run too.
No. 7 Seton LaSalle turned turnovers into quick transition buckets regularly and pulled away for an 82-52 win over No. 10 Charleroi in the WPIAL Class 2A first round at Peters Township’s AHN Arena.
In the nightcap, No. 10 Hampton upset No. 7 Peters Township, 50-45, in the Class 5A first round.
The Rebels (18-5) advanced to play the winner of Aliquippa and Sto-Rox in the quarterfinals Friday. Charleroi finished 13-10.
“It was nice to have a couple of days to prepare for (Charleroi), because it’s a unique run-and-gun style and a really fast game,” said Seton LaSalle coach Kenny Klase, who was a former standout player at Waynesburg University. “They take a lot of shots and score a lot of points. I told our guys after the game the credit goes to our scout team players that didn’t necessarily get in tonight. They were the ones that simulated Charleroi leading up to this game and their hard work helped us get what we got out of this game. They helped get our top guys ready for this game with the way they worked in practice for the last five days.”
Seton LaSalle led 43-25 at halftime and finished the first half on an 8-0 run that featured four baskets off quick transition points.
It was one of several times that the Rebels went on extended runs. They had a 13-2 run at the end of the first quarter, which gave them a 23-8 lead.
The Cougars, as they have all season, pressed after made baskets and missed ones, but the Rebels were able to break it several times for easy runouts.
Seton LaSalle scored over 80 points but only made five three pointers, which was a testament to how many points scored in transition.
Add in a tough shooting night and it was too much for Charleroi to overcome.
“We thought (Seton LaSalle) was seeded lower than they should have been,” Charleroi coach Joe Dunn said. “We did a nice job contesting their threes early in the game, but we did not stop them in transition on our turnovers. A lot of our turnovers turned into points for them.”
Seton LaSalle led 33-15 after a Gabe Gizzi layup, but Charleroi followed with its best stretch of the game.
Xavion Thomas made a layup, then was fouled on a three-point attempt and made all three free throws. Jackson Keranko followed with a three and suddenly the deficit was cut to eight.
But the Rebels built the lead back to 18 by halftime.
They continued to pour in on in third quarter led by freshman sharpshooter Gabe Gizzi.
Gizzi hit a trio of threes, including one in the final seconds, which ballooned Seton LaSalle lead to 71-44.
Will Martin made a free throw to give Seton LaSalle a 30-point advantage at the 6:59 mark of the fourth, which put the game into mercy rule.
Gizzi led the Rebels with 16 points. Jonathan Vega scored 15 and Martin finished with 14.
Keranko had 13 points for the Cougars and Xavion Thomas scored 12.
Though it was an abrupt ending to the season, Dunn was proud of what his team, which includes six seniors, Keranko, Thomas, Mikey Lee, Landon Amos, Brock Henderson and Logan Usher accomplished this season.
They completely revamped their style of play and improved from fourth in the section to second.
“It was a phenomenal year,” Dunn said. “I feel blessed to have coached these kids. I can’t say enough about them. When it ends like this, there’s an abruptness. What we’ve tried to do all season is be stunningly rapid in bring the ball in and picking up on defense. Now this season has ended stunningly.”
Hampton, 50-45
Tenth-seeded Hampton used an 11-6 advantage in the second quarter to take a three-point halftime lead and held on late to earn an upset win over No. 7 Peters Township.
Hampton’s Zach Danner had a couple huge buckets in the fourth and made a pair of free throws as well to help keep the Indians at bay.
Jayden Greco made a layup off a steal that cut the lead to 49-44 with just over a minute remaining.
After a defensive stand, Donovan was fouled and made one of two free throws. Hampton’s Gavin Guinn got the rebound, but was called for traveling.
On the ensuing inbounds, Jake Wetzel received a pass and was fouled, but he missed both free throws and it remained a two-possession game with 27 seconds remaining.
Tanner Ohodnicki led the Talbots (14-7) with 14 points, James Cupps had 13 and Danner scored 12.
Dylan Donovan finished with 12 points for the Indians (16-7).
Charleroi 8 17 19 8 – 52
Seton LaSalle 23 20 24 11 – 82
Charleroi: Jackson Keranko, 13 points; Xavion Thomas, 12.
Seton LaSalle: Gabriel Gizzi, 16 points; Jonathan Wega, 15; Will Martin, 14.
Hampton 13 11 16 10 – 50
Peters Township 15 6 13 11 – 45
Hampton: Tanner Ohodnicki, 14 points; James Cupps, 13; Zach Danner, 12.
Peters Township: Dylan Donovan, 12 points; Lucas Saxe, 10.